Captain defends his team after a vital 2-0 win over Aston Villa, insisting the squad is sticking together through a period of intense outside “noise.”
Virgil van Dijk didn’t hold back after leading Liverpool to a crucial 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday, a win that snapped a disappointing run of form and prompted the captain to hit out at what he called “ridiculous” criticism of the team.
Goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch at Anfield ended a string of five consecutive domestic defeats, lifting the mood around the club and moving them up to third in the Premier League table. However, the post-match focus was as much on Van Dijk’s powerful words as it was on the performance.
In a passionate defense of his teammates and manager Arne Slot, Van Dijk acknowledged the “noise” from outside the club but insisted the squad is blocking it out.
“What I’ve noticed over the last few weeks is that there’s a lot of noise that you have no control over,” Van Dijk told TNT Sports. “Some of the takes are ridiculous, but you deal with it. We stick together. We are not going out on the pitch to lose games… but it’s not a guarantee. The Premier League is the highest level.”
He contrasted the current negativity with the praise the team received last season, noting how quickly perceptions can shift. “Now it sounds like we’re going to be in a relegation battle – that’s how it works in the world,” he added wryly.
The victory was anchored by key moments from Liverpool’s stars. Salah, who has faced his own share of doubters, silenced them by opening the scoring with his historic 250th goal for the club.
“It’s very important,” Salah said of the win. “We had a few losses… I’m glad we’re back on track now.” He also urged for perspective, pointing to the integration of new players into the squad. “I said it was a tricky season for us… We just need time to adapt. I think we’ll be fine.”
The performance drew praise from Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who was covering the match. “I felt they were physical, the steel was back,” Gerrard commented. “The work rate, the intensity in possession. I think all the good stuff came off the back of that.”
His former teammate, Steve McManaman, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the return to form of key individuals like Salah, Van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konaté. “They looked a lot more assured,” McManaman said. “That’s what good players do, you have to respond.”
For Van Dijk and Liverpool, the response was clear: three points, a climb up the table, and a firm message to their critics.
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